Hawkins Parnell’s Appellate Group Argues Governmental Immunity Case Before Texas Supreme Court

September 17, 2026 (Dallas, TX) – Hawkins Parnell’s appellate chair Robert Gilbreath argued before the Supreme Court of Texas on September 15 for the firm’s clients in a case concerning governmental immunity and the authority of public officials to enter performance-based contracts. It was the first oral argument of the Supreme Court’s 2026–27 term.

Gilbreath represents Comprehensive Training Center, LLC and ERI Funding Group, Inc., which contracted with Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District’s superintendent to obtain and implement a federal education grant ultimately worth more than $8 million. After accepting the grant, the district declined to pay the resulting contractual fees and asserted governmental immunity, contending that the fees exceeded the superintendent’s delegated contracting authority.

The Texas Supreme Court granted review after the Thirteenth Court of Appeals ruled in the district’s favor. The case is Comprehensive Training Center, LLC and ERI Funding Group, Inc. v. Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District, No. 24-0772.

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